Therapeutic Efficacy of Spleen-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Mice with Acute Pancreatitis

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP), a sudden inflammation of the pancreas, can cause severe complications and high mortality despite treatment. The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for the treatment of AP has attracted significant attention in novel treatment strategy; however, the mode of action of spleen-derived MSCs (sp-MSCs) in AP remains unknown. Method: MSCs isolated from mouse spleen (msp-MSCs) were used to investigate the effects in animal models of cerulean-induced acute pancreatitis (CAP) and pancreatic ischemia injury (PII). Results: Msp-MSCs had multipotent differentiation capacities and immunoregulatory functions. A greater number of Qtracker-labeled msp-MSCs were detected in pancreas of mice with CAP than of control mice. Infused msp-MSCs reduced serum levels of amylase, lipase, and myeloperoxidase, and pancreatic edema, necrosis level, expression of inflammation cytokines, and CD3+T cell infiltration. In PII model, infused msp-MSCs promoted cell growth and thus improved pancreatic dysfunction. Conclusion: Msp-MSCs exert protective effects on CAP- and PII-induced pancreatic injury and might be developed as a potential therapeutic agent for pancreatitis treatment.